Colorado Rockies: An injury update on Antonio Senzatela
![ST LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 18: Antonio Senzatela #49 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after injuring hime self against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning at Busch Stadium on August 18, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1242578518-850x560-6c2cb4cf6e4918096b6fdeea1105bd51.jpg)
The Colorado Rockies received the worst news that they could have had with their starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela. He left in the second inning of Thursday’s game in St. Louis with a left knee injury. He could not place any weight on his knee as he had to be helped off of the field.
Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela will be done for the 2022 season
Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela had to have help off of the field because he suffered a torn ACL. The Rockies placed him on the 15-day injured list on Thursday and, needless to say, he will be done for the season. In a corresponding move, the Rockies have activated reliever Jhoulys Chacín off of the IL.
On Friday, Senzatela’s fellow starting pitcher Kyle Freeland was among a few Rockies that spoke to the media, including Rox Pile, about Senzatela’s injury before the series opener against the Giants at Coors Field.
“[It’s p]retty unfortunate, especially to happen to a guy like that,” Freeland said. “I mean, for it to happen to anybody, it sucks. But, you know, an injury like that, it really stinks. We’re losing a core member of our starting staff and he’s got a long road ahead of him. I feel for him. We’re gonna do everything we can to support him. And I mean, you know Senza. He’s one of those guys that’s going to do everything he can to work his (butt) off to get back to where he wants to be.
For Freeland, he has some experience with significant injuries. Last season, towards the end of Spring Training, he suffered a serious shoulder injury that cost him two months of play. That’s part of the reason why Freeland says that he feels for what Senzatela is going through right now and will be going through in the near future.
“Whenever you tear something or severely strain something, as an athlete, there’s that doubt in your mind,” Freeland said. ‘How is this gonna affect me for the rest of my career and getting back and trying to get back?’ It’s not a comfortable feeling to have, not a comfortable thought to have. And I’m sure what’s going through his head right now is as it was going through my head when I hurt my shoulder last year. You don’t know how you’re going to bounce back. The older you get, the harder it is for you to recover.”
Senzatela will have to have surgery so it remains to be seen whether or not he will be ready for Spring Training or Opening Day next year but the Rockies will try to help him through his situation.
“We’ve created a brotherhood over over the past almost 10 years since we’ve been in the minor leagues together with through our big league career so I’m we know each other very well,” Freeland said on his relationship with Senzatela and the team, in general. “We know each other’s families very well so we’re going to be there for him no matter what.”